Dr. Nancy Macharia’s upcoming exit from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) marks the end of a controversial decade in charge.
Her tenure, plagued by scandals, clashes with teacher unions, and accusations of incompetence, has left the teaching profession in turmoil.
Macharia, often seen as aligned with oppressive regimes, faced fierce opposition from teachers demanding better pay and working conditions.
Now, as she prepares to retire, many in the teaching fraternity are breathing a sigh of relief, hoping for a new direction that finally addresses their frustrations.
Dr. Nancy Macharia Exit from TSC a Sigh of Relief for Teachers
Dr. Nancy Macharia, the long-serving CEO of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), will retire early next year.
Her decade-long tenure, marked by scandal and strained relationships with teachers, has drawn mixed reactions.
Macharia announced her departure during the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) annual general meeting in Mombasa.
In her address, she thanked KNUT for its professionalism during her term. “I deeply appreciate the professionalism KNUT has shown over the last nine years,” she said.
Dr. Macharia’s leadership has been overshadowed by accusations of incompetence and alignment with oppressive regimes, which frustrated teachers demanding better pay and working conditions.
Strained Relationships with KNUT
Dr. Macharia’s tenure was fraught with conflicts, particularly with KNUT’s former Secretary-General, Wilson Sossion. Disputes arose over key issues such as the competency-based curriculum and career progression guidelines (CPGs).
KNUT opposed the CPGs, arguing they should align with the Teachers’ Code of Regulations and Schemes of Service.
These disagreements escalated into legal battles, with initial court rulings favoring KNUT. However, TSC’s subsequent decisions weakened the union significantly.
Impact of Career Progression Guidelines
The introduction of CPGs led to stagnation for teachers in specific job groups. Additionally, TSC stopped remitting union dues for KNUT members, crippling the union’s operations.
This resulted in declining membership and mass resignations, which ultimately forced Sossion out of his leadership role.
Dr. Nancy Macharia’s Career and Tenure at the TSC
Dr. Nancy Macharia became the head of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in 2015. She was appointed for a renewable five-year term, which was extended in 2020 for another five years.
Born in Kenya’s Central region, Dr. Macharia pursued her early education locally before joining Kenyatta University (KU).
In 1987, she graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree in English and Literature and immediately began teaching at Kahuhia Girls’ Secondary School in Murang’a County.
She taught there for five years before earning a promotion to deputy head teacher at Kianderi Girls’ Secondary in the same county.
After leaving classroom teaching, Dr. Macharia joined TSC as a staffing officer. Over the years, she rose through the ranks to become the commission’s CEO, succeeding the long-serving Gabriel Lengoibon.
Her appointment made history as she became the first female executive to lead the TSC, beating 69 other applicants for the position.
Dr. Macharia also holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Bristol, UK, where she specialized in policy and management studies.
She has trained in several fields, including corporate governance, public procurement, policy formation, ICT, proactive management, and business excellence models.
Her leadership style, often described as tough and decisive, has defined her tenure at the helm of TSC.
Legacy of Controversy
While Macharia highlighted her satisfaction with her achievements at TSC, critics argue her tenure left the teaching profession in turmoil.
Her exit signals the end of a controversial era, but teachers now hope for leadership that addresses their long-standing grievances and elevates the education sector.